Landlords and land management in north-eastern Scotland, 1750-1850

• Main Author: Grant, I. D.
• Published: University of Edinburgh 1979
• Subjects: 330.941
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.651718

The changing structure of landownership in Forth, Eastern Scotland, during the period 1667-1872 is considered and the main types of proprietorship outlined, with indication of the difficulties in classifying ownership. The sources of income and main classes of expenditure are considered, with discussion of the changing patterns. Short, medium, and longer term borrowing are outlined, with comment on the effects of the growth of banking and insurance companies. The structures of estate administration, with development of professional valuation and accounting procedures, are considered. The nature and development of administrative records for large and small estates are examined, with the background of estate administrators and their expectation and rewards. Consideration is given also to the effectiveness of management. Attention is paid to the complex changing legal environment and to economic fluctuations liable to reflect on the patterns of ownership and administration. Appendices include estate accounts for the period 1784-1839 for one of the major collections of estates, estate rentals from 1750 to 1839 for two of the major collections of estates, illustrative material on estate administration, a guide to the Peers and Baronets connected with the area covered at the close of the period, and maps illustrative of the widespread influence of some of the professional administrators.